Electroporation device having a battery pack with power switch

ABSTRACT

An electroporation device having a battery pack including a plurality of battery cells and at least one lead in electrical communication with a circuit board. The battery pack including a safety switch and a controller for selectively placing the battery cells in electrical communication with the one lead. Where the controller is in operable communication with the safety switch such that when the controller detects one or more operating conditions the controller instructs the safety switch to electrically isolate the lead from the battery cells. The battery pack also includes a manual switch, and where activation of the switch causes the controller to instruct the safety switch to electrically isolate the lead from the battery cells.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/065,315, filed Jun. 22, 2018, which is the National StageApplication of International Patent Application No. PCT/US2016/068413,filed Dec. 22, 2016, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/270,998, filed Dec. 22, 2015. The above referencedapplication is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Embodiments of the invention relate to an electroporation device with abattery pack; and more specifically an electroporation device with abattery pack with a power switch formed therein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Handheld medical devices, such as handheld electroporation devices,include battery packs to provide operational power. In some handheldmedical devices, the battery packs are directly soldered to circuitboards within the handheld medical devices to reduce electrical lossesand save space. During the manufacturing process, the battery packs arecapable of instantaneously supplying electrical power upon beingsoldered to the circuit boards. The ability to instantaneously supplyelectrical power can cause undesirable operating conditions (forexample, short circuits) when the battery packs are installed on thecircuit boards.

Conventionally, electrical components (i.e., resistors or switches) arecoupled to the circuit board to prevent the battery packs from causingundesirable operating conditions upon being installed on the circuitboards. However, such electrical components tend to be larger inphysical size and can cause undesirable effects on the performance ofthe battery packs and the handheld medical devices.

In one aspect, a handset of an electroporation device, the handsetincluding a housing defining a volume therein, a circuit board at leastpartially positioned within the volume, an electrode extending from thehousing and in electrical communication with the circuit board, and abattery pack. The battery pack including a battery pack housing, aplurality of battery cells positioned within the battery pack housing, afirst power lead in electrical communication with the circuit board, asecond power lead coupled to the plurality of battery cells and inelectrical communication with the circuit board, a safety switchpositioned within the battery pack housing and coupled between the firstpower lead and the plurality of battery cells, where the safety switchis adjustable between an ON state, where the plurality of battery cellsare in electrical communication with the first power lead, and an OFFstate, where the plurality of battery cells are not in electricalcommunication with the first power lead.

In another aspect, a handset of an electroporation device, the handsetincluding a housing, an injection assembly, a circuit board at leastpartially positioned within the housing and in operable communicationwith the injection assembly, an electrode extending from the housing andin electrical communication with the circuit board, and a battery pack.The battery pack including a battery housing at least partiallypositioned within the housing, a plurality of battery cells positionedwithin the battery pack housing, a first power lead in electricalcommunication with the circuit board, a second power lead coupled to andextending between the plurality of battery cells and the circuit board,a safety switch operable coupled between the first power lead and theplurality of battery cells, where the safety switch is adjustablebetween an ON state, where the plurality of battery cells are inelectrical communication with the first power lead, and an OFF statewhere the plurality of battery cells are not in electrical communicationwith the first power lead, and a controller in operable communicationwith the safety switch, the controller configured to detect one or moreoperating conditions, and where the controller is configured to adjustthe safety switch between the ON state and the OFF state based at leastin part on the detected operating conditions.

In still another aspect, an electroporation device including a basestation, and a handset removably coupled to the base station. Thehandset including a housing, an injection assembly, a circuit board atleast partially positioned within the housing and in operablecommunication with the injection assembly, an array with one or moreelectrode extending therefrom, the array being in electricalcommunication with the circuit board, and a battery pack. The batterypack including a battery housing at least partially positioned withinthe housing, a plurality of battery cells positioned within the batterypack housing, a first power lead in electrical communication with thecircuit board, a second power lead coupled to and extending between theplurality of battery cells and the circuit board, a safety switchpositioned within the battery housing, the safety switch operablycoupled between the first power lead and the plurality of battery cells,where the safety switch is adjustable between an ON state, where theplurality of battery cells are in electrical communication with thefirst power lead, and an OFF state where the plurality of battery cellsare not in electrical communication with the first power lead, acontroller positioned within the battery housing and in operablecommunication with the safety switch, the controller configured todetect one or more operating conditions, and where the controller isconfigured to adjust the safety switch between the ON state and the OFFstate based at least in part on the detected operating conditions, and apower switch positioned within the battery housing, and where at leastone of the operating conditions includes the state of the power switch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an electroporation unit showing a handsetand a base unit in a docked configuration.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the battery pack of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an image of the battery pack of FIG. 1, in accordance withsome embodiments.

FIG. 4 is an image of the battery pack of FIG. 1, in accordance withsome embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction and the arrangement of components set forthin the following description or illustrated in the following drawings.The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced orof being carried out in various ways.

It should also be noted that a plurality of other structural componentsmay be utilized to implement the invention. Furthermore, and asdescribed in subsequent paragraphs, the specific configurationsillustrated in the drawings are intended to exemplify embodiments of theinvention. Alternative configurations are possible.

“Agent” may mean a polypeptide, a polynucleotide, a small molecule, orany combination thereof. The agent may be a recombinant nucleic acidsequence encoding an antibody, a fragment thereof, a variant thereof, ora combination thereof, as detailed in PCT/US2014/070188, which isincorporated herein by reference. “Agent” may mean a compositioncomprising a polypeptide, a polynucleotide, a small molecule, or anycombination thereof. The composition may comprise a recombinant nucleicacid sequence encoding an antibody, a fragment thereof, a variantthereof, or a combination thereof, as detailed in PCT/US2014/070188,which is incorporated herein by reference. The agent may be formulatedin water or a buffer, for example. The buffer may be saline-sodiumcitrate (SSC) or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), for example. The ioniccontent of the buffers may increase conductivity, resulting in increasedcurrent flow in the targeted tissue. The concentration of the formulatedpolynucleotide may be between 1 μg and 20 mg/ml. The concentration ofthe formulated polynucleotide may be 1 μg/ml, 10 μg/ml, 25 μg/ml, 50μg/ml, 100 μg/ml, 250 μg/ml, 500 μg/ml, 750 μg/ml, 1 mg/ml, 10 mg/ml, 15mg/ml, or 20 mg/ml, for example.

A “peptide,” “protein,” or “polypeptide” as used herein can mean alinked sequence of amino acids and can be natural, synthetic, or amodification or combination of natural and synthetic.

“Polynucleotide” or “oligonucleotide” or “nucleic acid” as used hereinmeans at least two nucleotides covalently linked together. Apolynucleotide can be single stranded or double stranded, or can containportions of both double stranded and single stranded sequence. Thepolynucleotide can be DNA, both genomic and cDNA, RNA, or a hybrid. Thepolynucleotide can contain combinations of deoxyribo- andribo-nucleotides, and combinations of bases including uracil, adenine,thymine, cytosine, guanine, inosine, xanthine hypoxanthine, isocytosine,isoguanine, and synthetic or non-naturally occurring nucleotides andnucleosides. Polynucleotides may be a vector. Polynucleotides can beobtained by chemical synthesis methods or by recombinant methods.

“Vector” as used herein means a nucleic acid sequence containing anorigin of replication. A vector can be a viral vector, bacteriophage,bacterial artificial chromosome, or yeast artificial chromosome. Avector can be a DNA or RNA vector. A vector can be a self-replicatingextrachromosomal vector, and preferably, is a DNA plasmid.

The term “electroporation,” (“EP”) as used herein refers to the use ofan electric field pulse to induce reversible microscopic pathways(pores) in a bio-membrane; their presence allows agents to pass from oneside of the cellular membrane to the other.

During the electroporation process, electrodes in contact with targettissue and other elements of the electroporation device requireelectrical power to produce the necessary electroporation effect. Ininstances of a handheld electroporation device, the power necessary todrive these elements is provided by one or more battery packs that, inturn, are in electrical communication with one or more relativelyfragile circuit boards. During the manufacturing process of theelectroporation device, charged battery packs must be soldered to thecircuit boards to make a connection that is sufficiently free ofelectrical inefficiencies to permit the battery pack to satisfy therelatively large electrical loads necessary to create theelectroporation signal. Furthermore, the connection between the batterypack and the circuit board must be sufficiently small to allow thebattery pack to be positioned within the device and maintain the propercenter of gravity and ergonomics during use.

In some conventional systems, electrical components (i.e., resistors)are coupled to a circuit board to prevent battery packs from causingshort circuits when they are installed. Such electrical componentsprovide adequate resistance to prevent short circuits from occurring onthe circuit boards when the battery packs are soldered but also createinefficiencies that would hamper the battery pack's ability to providesufficient power to allow the device to produce the necessaryelectroporation signal. In other conventional systems, external switchesare coupled to the circuit boards. The external switches are separatefrom the battery packs and connected in series with one of the leadsfrom the battery packs. The external switches prevent the battery packsfrom electrically connecting to the circuit boards until the externalswitches are closed. However, external switches sufficiently strong tocarry the electrical loads required for electroporation are generallytoo large and inefficient for use. For example, even while in a closedposition, an external switch causes a voltage drop that reduces thevoltage provided to the circuit board. Further still, accommodating suchswitches negatively affect both the ergonomics and the center of gravityof the electroporation device.

The present invention relates to a handset 100 of an electroporationdevice 102 with a battery pack 10. Illustrated in FIG. 1, theelectroporation device 102 includes a base unit 106, and a handset 100that may be detachably docked to the base unit 106. The base unit 106 isgenerally positioned on a table or other flat surface and is inelectrical communication with and able to charge the battery pack 10 ofthe handset 100 when the two are in a docked or coupled configuration.

Illustrated in FIG. 1, the handset 100 of the electroporation device 102includes a housing 104, a circuit board 108 at least partiallypositioned within the housing 104, an electrode array 112 in electricalcommunication with the circuit board 108, and a battery pack 10 inelectrical communication with the circuit board 108. The handset 100also includes an injection assembly 110 to administer agent to thetarget tissue via a hypodermic needle 111. The handset 100 facilitatesthe introduction of biomolecules into the cells of a target tissue (forexample, skin) of a mammal using electroporation pulses generated by thecircuit board 108 and relayed to the target tissue via the electrodearray 112. During administration of the electroporation treatment, thebattery pack 10 stores and supplies electrical power to the handset 100.

As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 104 of the handset 100 is formed fromtwo halves or members 116 coupled together to form a volume 120therebetween. Specifically, the members 116 form a pistol-shape havingan upper portion 124 with a front end 128 and a rear end 132, and ahandle portion 136 extending from the upper portion 124 to form a distalend. The handle portion 136 is sized and shaped to permit maximumergonomic comfort for the user when grasping the handset 100. The handleportion 136 is also sufficiently small in cross-sectional shape toassure the user can grasp the handle portion 136 while also actuatingthe trigger 140 positioned proximate the intersection of the handleportion 136 and the upper portion 124 near the front end 128 to allowsingle-handed operation of the handset 100. While the housing 104 of thehandset 100 is illustrated in the pistol-shape, it is to be understoodthat the housing 104 may include additional shapes or accommodatedifferent grip styles.

In the illustrated embodiment, the housing members 116 include aplurality of mounting points (not shown) for positioning and securingthe battery pack 10 within the handle portion 136 of the housing 104.More specifically, the mounting points position the battery pack 10 suchthat the overall center of gravity (CG) of the handset 100 is proximatethe intersection between the upper portion 124 and the handle portion136. In other embodiments, the upper portion 124 of the housing 104 maydefine an axis A extending longitudinally therethrough such that an axisB positioned perpendicular to axis A and passing through the center ofgravity (CG) also passes through the handle portion 136 of the housing104 (see FIG. 1).

The circuit board 108 of the handset 100 is at least partiallypositioned within the volume 120 of the housing 104 and in electricalcommunication with the battery pack 10, the electrode array 112, and thetrigger 140. During use, the circuit board 108 receives electrical powerfrom the battery pack 10 and selectively outputs an electroporationsignal to the electrode array 112 based at least in part on inputs fromthe trigger 140.

The electrode array 112 includes a plurality of electrodes 142 eachextending outwardly from the front end 128 of the upper portion 124 ofthe housing 104. Each electrode 142 is in electrical communication withthe circuit board 108 and configured to convey the electroporationsignal to the target tissue.

FIG. 2 illustrates the battery pack 10 of the handset 100. The batterypack 10 includes, among other things, a battery housing 12, a pluralityof battery cells 14, a first power lead 16, a second power lead 18, acontroller 20 including a safety switch 26, a power switch 22 inelectrical communication with the controller 20, and a thermistor 24. Inthe illustrated construction, the plurality of battery cells 14, thecontroller 20, the safety switch 26, the power switch 22, and thethermistor 24 are all disposed within the battery housing 12. Duringuse, the addition of the power switch 22 permits the user to manuallydisable the power flow between the battery cells 14 and the first powerlead 16 without the need for additional, external switches orconnectors. As such, the battery pack 10 may be installed in the housing104 of the handset 100 without damaging the control circuits or circuitboards while also minimizing any power losses associated with circuitrypositioned outside the housing 12.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the plurality of battery cells 14 of thebattery pack 10 includes two battery cells wired in series. However, inalternative embodiments more or fewer cells may be present dependentupon the specific power needs of the device in which the battery pack 10is installed. In some embodiments, the plurality of battery cells 14include a type of rechargeable battery such as, for example,lithium-ion, lead-acid, nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride, etc.Lithium-ion batteries are smaller and lighter than conventionallead-acid batteries.

The first and second power leads 16 and 18 of the battery pack 10electrically connect the battery cells 14 and controller 20 with thecircuit board 108 of the handset 100. In the illustrated construction,the leads 16, 18 are soldered to the circuit board 108. By soldering theleads 16, 18 directly to the circuit board 108, space is saved overother types of electrical couplings, such as releasable connectors andthe like. Furthermore, soldering minimizing any electrical losses thatmay occur if a connector or other external component is positionedbetween the battery pack 10 and the circuit board 108.

The thermistor 24 of the battery pack 10 is also positioned within thebattery housing 12. During use, the thermistor 24 is configured tomonitor the temperature of the battery pack 10. As shown in FIG. 2 thethermistor includes an external lead in electrical communication withthe controller 20.

Illustrated in FIG. 2, the safety switch 26 selectively connects anddisconnects the plurality of battery cells 14 from the first power lead16 based at least in part on inputs from the controller 20. The safetyswitch 26 is adjustable between a connected configuration, where theplurality of battery cells 14 are in electrical communication with thepower lead 16, and a disconnected configuration, where the plurality ofbattery cells 14 are not in electrical communication with the power lead16. The safety switch 26 may include permanent fuses, resettable fuses,and/or switches. The wire trace lengths between the safety switch 26 andthe plurality of battery cells 14 are shorter than those of externalhardware or switches. Short wire trace lengths reduce the effects ofvoltage losses (i.e., IR voltage losses) and noise (i.e., switchingnoise) on the operation and efficiency of the battery pack 10. Inaddition, the safety switch 26 has a small footprint, being positionedcompletely within the battery housing 12 of the battery pack 10.

Illustrated in FIG. 2, the controller 20 of the battery pack 10 isconfigured to determine a plurality of operating conditions of thebattery pack 10 and operate the safety switch 26 based at least in parton the information collected. The controller 20 may include anelectronic processor (for example, a microprocessor, a microcontroller,or another suitable programmable device) and a memory. In someembodiments, the plurality of operating conditions may include, amongother things, an over temperature condition, an over current condition,an over voltage condition, an under voltage condition, and the like.

During use, the controller 20 is configured to operate the safety switch26 based at least in part on the detection of the plurality of operationconditions to prevent damage resulting from undesired operatingconditions of the battery pack 10. For example, the controller 20 mayoperate the safety switch 26 to disconnect the plurality of batterycells 14 from the first power lead 16 when an over current condition isdetected. In some embodiments, the controller 20 is configured to detectthe plurality of operating conditions using a plurality of sensors (notshown) included in the controller 20. The plurality of sensors mayinclude, among other things, voltage sensors, current sensors,temperature sensors, and the like.

Illustrated in FIGS. 2-4, the power switch 22 of the battery pack 10 isin operable communication with the controller 20 and is manuallyadjustable between an ON state and an OFF state. During use, thecontroller 20 monitors the position of the power switch 22 similar tothe other operating conditions described above. For example, detectionthat the power switch 22 is in the OFF state causes the controller 20 totrigger the safety switch 26 and disconnect the plurality of batterycells 14 from the first power lead 16—in the same manner as if anundesired operating condition was detected. In such embodiments, thecontroller 20 further operates the safety switch 26 to connect theplurality of battery cells 14 to the first power lead 16 when the powerswitch 22 is in the ON state. In alternate embodiments, the controller20 operates the safety switch 26 to disconnect the plurality of batterycells 14 from the first power lead 16 when the power switch 22 is in theON state. In such alternate embodiments, the controller 20 furtheroperates the safety switch 26 to connect the plurality of battery cells14 to the first power lead 16 when the power switch 22 is in the OFFstate.

Illustrated in FIG. 4, the power switch 22 is disposed within thehousing 12 of the battery pack 10 such that the switch 22 is externallyaccessible. In the illustrated embodiment, the power switch 22 isaccessible through a hole 28 formed in the housing 12. A user can changethe state of the power switch 22 by manipulating the position of thepower switch 22 using, for example, a small screwdriver or tweezers. Inother embodiments, the power switch 22 may be an electromechanicalswitch or a magnetic switch. In such embodiments, a magnet may be usedto switch the power switch 22 between the ON state and the OFF state.Because the power switch 22 is externally accessible, it can be switchedto the OFF state during the manufacturing process to allow the batterypack 10 to be installed on a circuit board without causing a shortcircuit as explained above. Once installation is complete, the powerswitch 22 can be switched to the ON state to allow the battery pack 10to supply electrical power to the circuit board.

Accordingly, in devices that include several circuit boards, the powerswitch 22 permits installation of the battery pack 10 prior to having afinal circuit board configuration assembled. By allowing the batterypack 10 to be installed earlier in the installation process, moreworking space is provided making the installation process easier andmore efficient. In contrast, in instances where the battery pack 10 mustbe installed as a final step after the final circuit board configurationis assembled, it may be difficult to install the battery pack 10 due tothe limited space available.

As described above, the power switch 22 is not connected in series withthe plurality of battery cells 14, but rather communicates with thecontroller 20 so as to manipulate the safety switch 26 indirectly. Assuch, the power switch 22 acts as an additional operating condition inaddition to those typically found in a battery pack. Therefore, thepower switch 22 of the present invention provides the user with a manualway to disengage the plurality of battery cells 14 from the leads 16, 18without adversely affecting the performance of the battery pack 10 andmaintaining a small overall foot print for the battery pack 10.

Thus, the invention provides, among other things, a power switch 22 forcontrolling a battery pack 10. Various features and advantages of theinvention are set forth in the following claims.

The foregoing description of the specific aspects will so fully revealthe general nature of the invention that others can, by applyingknowledge within the skill of the art, readily modify and/or adapt forvarious applications such specific aspects, without undueexperimentation, without departing from the general concept of thepresent disclosure. Therefore, such adaptations and modifications areintended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of thedisclosed aspects, based on the teaching and guidance presented herein.It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology herein is forthe purpose of description and not of limitation, such that theterminology or phraseology of the present specification is to beinterpreted by the skilled artisan in light of the teachings andguidance.

The breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited byany of the above-described exemplary aspects, but should be defined onlyin accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

All publications, patents, patent applications, and/or other documentscited in this application are incorporated by reference in theirentirety for all purposes to the same extent as if each individualpublication, patent, patent application, and/or other document wereindividually indicated to be incorporated by reference for all purposes.

For reasons of completeness, various aspects of the invention are setout in the following numbered clauses:

Clause 1. A handset of an electroporation device, the handsetcomprising: a housing defining a volume therein;

a circuit board at least partially positioned within the volume;

an electrode extending from the housing and in electrical communicationwith the circuit board; and

a battery pack including:

-   -   a battery pack housing,    -   a plurality of battery cells positioned within the battery pack        housing, a first power lead in electrical communication with the        circuit board,    -   a second power lead coupled to the plurality of battery cells        and in electrical communication with the circuit board, a safety        switch positioned within the battery pack housing and coupled        between the first power lead and the plurality of battery cells,        wherein the safety switch is adjustable between an ON state,        where the plurality of battery cells are in electrical        communication with the first power lead, and an OFF state, where        the plurality of battery cells are not in electrical        communication with the first power lead.

Clause 2. The handset of clause 1, wherein the battery pack is at leastpartially positioned within the volume.

Clause 3. The handset of clause 1, wherein the housing includes an upperportion and a handle portion extending from the upper portion, andwherein the battery pack is at least partially positioned within thehandle portion of the housing.

Clause 4. The handset of clause 1, wherein the housing includes an upperportion and a handle portion extending from the upper portion, andwherein the center of gravity of the electroporation device ispositioned proximate the intersection of the upper portion and thehandle portion.

Clause 5. The handset of clause 1, wherein the battery pack furtherincludes a controller configured to detect a plurality of operatingconditions, and wherein the controller adjusts the safety switch betweenthe ON state and the OFF state based at least in part on the operatingconditions.

Clause 6. The handset of clause 5, wherein the operating conditionsinclude at least one of an over temperature condition, an over currentcondition, an over voltage condition, and an under voltage condition.

Clause 7. The handset of clause 5, wherein the battery pack furtherincludes a power switch adjustable between an ON state and an OFF state,and wherein at least one of the operating conditions includes the stateof the power switch.

Clause 8. The handset of clause 7, wherein the power switch is locatedinside the battery housing.

Clause 9. The handset of clause 8, wherein the power switch isaccessible from outside the battery housing.

Clause 10. The handset of clause 1, wherein the battery pack furtherincludes a power switch accessible from outside the battery housing andadjustable between an ON state and an OFF state, and wherein the safetyswitch is adjustable between the ON state and the OFF state based atleast in part on the state of the power switch.

Clause 11. The handset of clause 1, wherein the first lead is solderedto the circuit board, and wherein the second lead is soldered to thecircuit board.

Clause 12. A handset of an electroporation device, the handsetcomprising: a housing;

an injection assembly;

a circuit board at least partially positioned within the housing and inoperable communication with the injection assembly;

an electrode extending from the housing and in electrical communicationwith the circuit board; and

-   -   a battery pack including:    -   a battery housing at least partially positioned within the        housing,    -   a plurality of battery cells positioned within the battery pack        housing,    -   a first power lead in electrical communication with the circuit        board,    -   a second power lead coupled to and extending between the        plurality of battery cells and the circuit board,    -   a safety switch operable coupled between the first power lead        and the plurality of battery cells, wherein the safety switch is        adjustable between an ON state, where the plurality of battery        cells are in electrical communication with the first power lead,        and an OFF state where the plurality of battery cells are not in        electrical communication with the first power lead, and    -   a controller in operable communication with the safety switch,        the controller configured to detect one or more operating        conditions, and wherein the controller is configured to adjust        the safety switch between the ON state and the OFF state based        at least in part on the detected operating conditions.

Clause 13. The handset of clause 12, wherein the safety switch ispositioned within the battery housing.

Clause 14. The handset of clause 12, wherein the battery pack furtherincludes a power switch positioned within the battery housing, andwherein at least one of the operating conditions is the state of thepower switch.

Clause 15. The handset of clause 14, wherein the battery housing definesan aperture, and wherein the power switch is accessible from outside thebattery housing via the aperture.

Clause 16. The handset of clause 12, wherein the operating conditionsinclude at least one of an over temperature condition, an over currentcondition, an over voltage condition, and an under voltage condition.

Clause 17. The handset of clause 12, wherein the controller ispositioned within the battery housing.

Clause 18. The handset of clause 12, wherein the housing includes anupper portion and a handle portion extending from the upper portion, andwherein the battery pack is positioned within the handle portion.

Clause 19. An electroporation device comprising: a base station;

a handset removably coupled to the base station, the handset including:a housing,

an injection assembly,

a circuit board at least partially positioned within the housing and inoperable communication with the injection assembly,

an array with one or more electrode extending therefrom, the array beingin electrical communication with the circuit board, and

-   -   a battery pack including:    -   a battery housing at least partially positioned within the        housing,    -   a plurality of battery cells positioned within the battery pack        housing, a first power lead in electrical communication with the        circuit board,    -   a second power lead coupled to and extending between the        plurality of battery cells and the circuit board,    -   a safety switch positioned within the battery housing, the        safety switch operably coupled between the first power lead and        the plurality of battery cells, wherein the safety switch is        adjustable between an ON state, where the plurality of battery        cells are in electrical communication with the first power lead,        and an OFF state where the plurality of battery cells are not in        electrical communication with the first power lead,    -   a controller positioned within the battery housing and in        operable communication with the safety switch, the controller        configured to detect one or more operating conditions, and        wherein the controller is configured to adjust the safety switch        between the ON state and the OFF state based at least in part on        the detected operating conditions, and    -   a power switch positioned within the battery housing, and        wherein at least one of the operating conditions includes the        state of the power switch.

Clause 20. The electroporation device of clause 19, wherein the batteryhousing is positioned within the housing such that the center of gravityof the electroporation device is vertically aligned with the batterypack.

Clause 21. The electroporation device of clause 19, wherein the basestation is in electrical communication with the battery pack when thehandset is coupled to the base station.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of using a handset of an electroporationdevice, the method comprising: adjusting a power switch of the handsetfrom one of an ON state and an OFF state to the other of the ON stateand the OFF state, wherein the power switch is positioned within abattery pack housing of the device, the battery pack housing being partof a battery pack that also includes: a plurality of battery cellspositioned within the battery pack housing, a first power lead inelectrical communication with a circuit board of the handset, whereinthe circuit board is in electrical communication with at least oneelectrode of the handset, a second power lead coupled to the pluralityof battery cells and in electrical communication with the circuit board,a safety switch positioned within the battery pack housing and coupledbetween the first power lead and the plurality of battery cells, thesafety switch being adjustable between an ON state and an OFF statebased at least in part on the state of the power switch, wherein, whenthe safety switch is in its ON state the plurality of battery cells arein electrical communication with the first power lead, and when thesafety switch is in its OFF state the plurality of battery cells are notin electrical communication with the first power lead, and wherein theadjusting step comprises accessing the power switch from outside thebattery pack housing.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein accessing stepcomprises accessing the power switch through an aperture defined in thebattery pack housing.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the accessingstep is performed manually.
 4. A handset of an electroporation device,the handset comprising: a housing defining a volume therein; a circuitboard at least partially positioned within the volume; an electrodeextending from the housing and in electrical communication with thecircuit board; and a battery pack including: a battery pack housing,wherein an aperture is formed in the battery pack housing, a pluralityof battery cells positioned within the battery pack housing, a firstpower lead in electrical communication with the circuit board, a secondpower lead coupled to the plurality of battery cells and in electricalcommunication with the circuit board, a power switch positioned withinthe battery pack housing, wherein the power switch is accessible fromoutside the battery pack housing through the aperture and is adjustablebetween an ON state and an OFF state.